Ring Subscription Grandfathering Explained
Grandfathering means Ring lets you keep your current subscription plan and price even after the company changes its offerings or raises rates. If you had an active Ring Protect subscription before Ring announced a plan change, you typically stay on that plan at your original price for as long as you keep paying and don't cancel. Once you cancel or let the subscription lapse, you lose grandfathered status and must choose from Ring's current plans at current prices.
Ring has made several plan changes over the years, and how grandfathering works depends on which change affected your account. The company does not automatically move grandfathered customers to new plans — you stay where you are unless you make a change yourself. However, grandfathering protections are not permanent; they apply only to the specific plan you held before the change.
Key Takeaways
- Grandfathering locks in your subscription price and plan features as long as you keep the subscription active without canceling.
- If you cancel your subscription, you lose grandfathered status and cannot return to the old plan or price.
- Ring's grandfathering applies only to the plan you held before a company-wide change; it does not protect you if you switch to a different plan yourself.
- You can check your current plan and price in the Ring app under Account Settings or Subscription, where it will show your renewal date and cost.
How Grandfathering Works With Ring Plan Changes
Ring has restructured its subscription offerings multiple times. In 2023, the company consolidated its plans and changed pricing. Customers who had active subscriptions before that date were grandfathered into their existing plan at the price they were paying. A customer on Ring Protect Plus at $9.99 per month, for example, would keep that rate and plan even after Ring introduced new plan structures.
Grandfathering is tied to your account and device, not to your email or payment method. If you move to a different Ring device or add a new device to your account, the grandfathered rate typically applies to all devices on that account — but this depends on Ring's specific policy at the time. You should verify in your account settings whether all your devices are covered under the same grandfathered plan or whether each device has its own subscription status.
What Canceling Your Subscription Means for Grandfathering
Canceling your Ring Protect subscription ends grandfathering immediately. If you cancel and then resubscribe later, you will be offered Ring's current plans at current prices. There is no way to restore a grandfathered plan once it is canceled. Even a brief lapse — letting the subscription expire without renewing — can trigger loss of grandfathered status, depending on Ring's policy.
Some customers pause their subscription temporarily rather than cancel, hoping to preserve grandfathering. Ring's terms do not always distinguish between a pause and a cancellation, so contact Ring Support directly before pausing if you want to confirm your grandfathered status will remain intact. The safest approach is to keep your subscription active and renewing without interruption.
Switching Plans and Losing Grandfathered Rates
If you are grandfathered into an older plan and you voluntarily switch to a different plan — even a cheaper one — you typically lose grandfathering. Ring will move you to its current plan structure at current pricing. You cannot switch back to your old grandfathered plan. This is an important distinction: grandfathering protects you only if you stay on the plan you had before the change.
Some customers consider downgrading to a lower-tier plan to save money, but doing so ends grandfathering. Calculate the long-term cost before you switch. If your grandfathered plan is cheaper than Ring's current offerings, staying put is usually the better financial choice. You can always cancel later if you no longer need the service.
Checking Your Grandfathered Plan and Price
Open the Ring app and go to Account Settings or Subscription (the exact menu name varies by app version). Your current plan name and monthly or annual price will be displayed. If you see an older plan name like "Ring Protect" or "Ring Protect Plus" with a price lower than what Ring currently advertises for similar plans, you are likely grandfathered. Your renewal date will also be shown so you know when your next charge is due.
If you are unsure whether you are grandfathered or what your plan includes, contact Ring Support through the app or website. Have your account email and device serial number ready. Ring Support can confirm your plan status, show you what features are included, and explain what would happen if you made changes to your subscription.
What Happens to Grandfathering if You Move or Change Devices
Grandfathering is account-based, so moving to a new house or installing Ring devices in a new location does not affect it. Your subscription follows your account, not your physical location. However, adding a new Ring device to your account may or may not be covered by your grandfathered subscription, depending on whether your plan covers multiple devices and Ring's current policy on new devices added to grandfathered accounts.
If you replace an old Ring device with a new one, your grandfathered subscription typically continues to cover the new device as long as you keep the same account active. If you sell your Ring device or transfer it to someone else, that person will not inherit your grandfathered plan — they will need their own subscription at current rates. Grandfathering is personal to your account and does not transfer.
Ring's Current Plans vs. Grandfathered Plans
Ring's current plan lineup includes Ring Protect Basic (monthly or annual), Ring Protect Plus (monthly or annual), and sometimes regional or device-specific plans. Prices and features change periodically. Grandfathered customers may be on older plan names like "Ring Protect" or "Ring Protect Plus" at rates that no longer match what new customers pay. Your grandfathered plan may also include features or coverage that Ring no longer offers on new subscriptions.
Ring occasionally sends emails to grandfathered customers highlighting the features of new plans or offering discounts to switch. These are marketing messages; you are under no obligation to switch. Staying on your grandfathered plan is a valid choice as long as it meets your needs and you keep the subscription active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my grandfathered price if I add more Ring devices?
Usually yes, but it depends on Ring's policy at the time you add the device. Your grandfathered subscription typically covers all devices on your account, but adding a brand-new device may require a separate subscription or may be subject to Ring's current pricing. Check your account settings or contact Ring Support before adding a device if you want to confirm your grandfathered rate will apply.
What if I downgrade from my grandfathered plan to a cheaper plan?
Downgrading ends grandfathering. You will move to Ring's current plan structure at current prices. You cannot switch back to your old grandfathered plan later. If your grandfathered plan is already cheaper than Ring's current offerings, staying on it is usually the better financial choice.
Does grandfathering apply if I switch to a different Ring subscription service?
No. Grandfathering applies only to the specific plan you held before Ring's change. Switching to a different service or plan tier moves you to Ring's current offerings at current prices. Once you leave your grandfathered plan, you cannot return to it.
What happens to my grandfathered subscription if I don't renew?
Your subscription ends and grandfathering is lost. If you resubscribe later, you will be offered Ring's current plans at current prices. There is no way to restore a grandfathered plan once it lapses, so keep your subscription active if you want to preserve your rate.
Can I transfer my grandfathered plan to someone else?
No. Grandfathering is tied to your account and does not transfer to another person or account. If you sell your Ring device or give it to someone else, that person will need to start a new subscription at Ring's current rates.